Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel Book Review

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One little white lie.

That’s all it took. Now I’m suddenly having to fake-date my work nemesis to get me through a week at a Vermont Christmas lodge with my family.

The problem? I can’t stand Miles Taylor. Not only that, but I don’t date people I work with. But I can handle it. I’ve had practice faking my emotions for years. So it shouldn’t matter that Miles never lets me get away with anything. And that he happens to boil my blood hotter than a steaming pot of wassail. So when he throws his annoying grin my way or forces me on dates he knows I’ll hate, I’ll just grit my teeth and smile.

Or maybe not. Did I mention that Miles is the one person in the world I can’t seem to fool?

When my emotions begin feeling less like a sham and his arms feel way too comfortable, it makes me think that maybe Miles had a plan of his own. And I’m starting to like it a lot more than mine.

Faking Christmas Book Review

After seeing Faking Christmas all over Instagram, I finally decided to pick it up—and I’m so glad I did! This festive romance is an absolute delight from start to finish.

Faking Christmas follows Olive, a teacher who pretends to be dating her co-worker Miles to avoid an awkward run-in with her ex during her family’s Christmas trip. But when she discovers Miles’ family owns the Vermont inn where they’re all staying, her harmless lie turns into a full-blown holiday charade.

Olive and Miles are fantastic characters, both individually and as a pair. Their workplace banter is sharp and hilarious, and I loved watching how Miles manages to get under Olive’s skin in the best possible way. As their fake relationship unfolds, their chemistry grows, and it’s impossible not to root for them.

Miles is such a sweetheart! He knows exactly how to break through Olive’s walls, and the way he handles their fake-dating scheme makes the story feel both heartwarming and irresistibly fun. It’s one of those books you just don’t want to put down.

The romance is closed-door, but please trust me, it’s still completely swoon-worthy. Every sweet gesture, every slow-burn moment, and the natural way their relationship develops make it feel so genuine. It’s the kind of cozy Christmas story I want to re-read every holiday season!

The setting is pure magic. The snowy Vermont backdrop gives Hallmark movie vibes (which I love), complete with charming small-town traditions and festive holiday activities. I especially loved the Christmas bingo card Olive and Miles work through—it’s such a fun touch that adds even more holiday cheer to the story.

Overall, Faking Christmas is one of the best Christmas romance books I’ve ever read. With characters you can’t help but love, laugh-out-loud moments, and the perfect dose of holiday spirit, it’s everything you want in a cozy Christmas read.

If you haven’t picked this one up yet, I highly recommend it. It’s the ultimate feel-good holiday romance! And once you’re done, be sure to pick up the rest of the books in the Christmas Escape series—they’re all so wonderful and cozy!

Rating: ★★★★★

About Cindy Steel

Cindy Steel was raised on a dairy farm in Idaho. She grew up singing country songs at the top of her lungs and learning to solve all of life’s problems while milking cows and driving tractors—rewriting happy endings every time. She married a cute Idaho boy and is the proud mother of two wild and sweet twin boys. Which means she is also now a collector of bugs, sticks, rocks, and slobbery kisses. She loves making breakfast, baking, photography, reading a good book, and staying up way past her bedtime to craft stories that will hopefully make you smile.